Bonnie Watson Coleman

Bonnie M. Watson Coleman (born February 6, 1945) is an American politician. She has served as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 12th congressional district since 2015. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Watson Coleman previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1998 to 2015 for the 15th Legislative District.[2] She is the first African-American woman to represent New Jersey in Congress.[3]

Bonnie Watson Coleman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Rush Holt Jr.
Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office January 12, 2006 – January 12, 2010
Preceded by	Joseph J. Roberts
Succeeded by	Joseph Cryan
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 15th district
In office January 13, 1998 – January 3, 2015 Serving with Reed Gusciora
Preceded by	Shirley Turner
Succeeded by	Elizabeth Maher Muoio
Personal details
Born	Bonnie M. Watson[1] February 6, 1945 Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	William Coleman ​ (m. 1995)​
Children	3
Education	Thomas Edison State University (BA)
Website	House website

Early life and education

Watson Coleman was born in Camden, New Jersey. Her father John S. Watson served six terms in the New Jersey legislature. She graduated from Ewing High School.[4] She received a B.A. from Thomas Edison State College in 1985 after briefly attending Rutgers University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.[5] Raised Baptist,[6] she currently resides in Ewing Township.[7]

Early career

In 1974, she established the first Office of Civil Rights, Contract Compliance and Affirmative Action, in the New Jersey Department of Transportation and remained the Director of that office for six years. In 1980, Watson Coleman joined the Department of Community Affairs, where she held a number of positions including, Assistant Commissioner, responsible for Aging, Community Resources, Public Guardian and Women Divisions.

She served on the Governing Boards Association of State Colleges from 1987 to 1998 and as its chair from 1991 to 1993. Watson Coleman was a member of the Ewing Township Planning Board from 1996 to 1997. She was a member of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Board of Trustees from 1981 to 1998 and was its chair from 1990 to 1991.[2]

She previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1998 to 2015 for the 15th Legislative District.[2] This is the same district her father represented. Watson Coleman became the first African American woman to lead the State party when she was elected Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, on February 4, 2002 and served till 2006. Watson Coleman served as the Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2006 to 2010.

U.S. House of Representatives

Election

Following the announcement that Congressman Rush Holt would not be seeking another term in office, Bonnie Watson Coleman announced her intention to run to fill his seat in New Jersey's 12th congressional district.[8]

On June 3, 2014, she won the Democratic primary for the 12th congressional district.[9] She won the general election on November 4, 2014, defeating Republican candidate Alieta Eck.[10] She won 60.9% of the vote.[11] She resigned her state legislature seat to enter Congress. Her win made Watson Coleman the first African-American woman elected to represent a New Jersey district in the United States House of Representatives.[12]

Tenure

On March 3, 2015, Coleman participated with fellow Democrats in the boycott of the speech delivered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress.[13]

In March 2016, Coleman, along with Rep. Robin Kelly and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, founded the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls.[14] "Black women and girls are disproportionately affected by myriad socioeconomic issues that diminish their quality of life and threaten the well-being of their families and communities. The Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls gives black women a seat at the table for the crucial discussion on the policies that impact them while also providing a framework for creating opportunities and eliminating barriers to success for black women," they announced in a press release at the time.[15] They were inspired by the #SheWoke Committee, a group of 7 activists that reached out to lawmakers and staffers to start.[16]

She co-sponsored the International Megan's Law, to combat child exploitation and other sex crimes abroad. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law in February 2016.[17]

In July 2019, Watson Coleman voted against H. Res. 246 - 116th Congress, a House resolution introduced by Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) opposing efforts to boycott the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel. The resolution passed 398–17.[18][19]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets
• Committee on Appropriations
  • United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Progressive Caucus[20]
• Congressional Black Caucus[21]
• Congressional Arts Caucus[22]
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.[23]
• Medicare for All Caucus
• Blue Collar Caucus

Political positions

Coleman speaking at the 2017 Women's March in Trenton, New Jersey

Watson Coleman has been a strong supporter of programs allowing criminal offenders to reenter society.[24] Watson Coleman's two sons were sentenced to seven years in prison after committing armed robbery against a Kids R Us store in 2001. One of her son gained employment with a county agency following his release.[25] Watson Coleman also supports a ban of the type of assault rifles her sons used in the robbery. As a New Jersey Assemblywoman, she sponsored a bill that bars companies with more than 15 employees from conducting criminal background checks on candidates during the interview process.

In October 2020, Watson Coleman co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that condemned Azerbaijan’s offensive operations against the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, denounced Turkey’s role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and called for an immediate ceasefire.[26]

Personal life

In 1972, Watson married Jim Carter. They had one son together. The pair divorced in the early 1980's. In 1995, she married William Coleman. Her second husband has two sons from a previous marriage.[27]

Watson Coleman's two sons, William Carter-Watson and Jared C. Coleman, pleaded guilty to holding up the Kids "R" Us store at Mercer Mall with a rifle as it was about to close on March 12, 2001; they were sentenced to 7 years in April 2001 and ultimately served ​5 ¹⁄₂ years. Watson Coleman has acknowledged it in the past and introduced legislation, "that bars companies with more than 15 employees to conduct criminal background checks on candidates during the interview process". She argued for the law, saying, "One of the greatest barriers to a second chance in the state of New Jersey is a barrier to employment”; it was later passed and signed into law. In 2014, her son William Carter-Watson was hired by the Mercer County Parks Commission as an entry-level laborer. When asked for comment, Brian Hughes, the County Executive, said, "the county has maintained a policy of hiring ex-convicts in search of a second chance".[28][29][30]

In the summer of 2018, Watson Coleman underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.[31]

Watson Coleman tested positive for COVID-19 on January 11, 2021. She believed she contracted the virus from Republican colleagues who refused to wear masks while they sheltered together during the 2021 storming of the Capitol.[32][33]

Electoral history

New Jersey's 12th congressional district: Results 2014–2020

Year		Democratic	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
2014		Bonnie Watson Coleman	90,430	60.9%		Alieta Eck	54,168	36.5%		Don Dezarn	Independent	1,330	0.9%		Steven Welzer	Green	890	0.6%	*
2016			181,430	62.9%		Steven J. Uccio	92,407	32.0%		R. Edward Forchion	Independent	6,094	2.1%		Robert Shapiro	Independent	2,775	1.0%	**
2018			173,334	68.7%		Daryl Kipnis	79,041	31.3%
2020			230,883	65.6%		Mark Razzoli	114,591	32.6%		R. Edward Forchion	Independent	4,512	1.3%		Ken Cody	Independent	1,739	0.5%

* Independent candidates Kenneth J. Cody, Jack Freudenheim and Allen J. Cannon received 0.4%, 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.
** Libertarian candidate Thomas Fitzpatrick, Green candidate Steven Welzer and Independent candidate Michael R. Bollentin received 0.9%, 0.7% and 0.4% respectively.

See also

• List of African-American United States Representatives
• Women in the United States House of Representatives

References

1. "PAGE BY PAGE REPORT DISPLAY FOR 12972690548 (Page 87 of 220)". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved Apr 2, 2019.
2. Assemblywoman Watson Colemans's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature; accessed June 5, 2011.
3. "2014: Not a Landmark Year for Women, Despite Some Notable Firsts", Center for American Women and Politics, November 5, 2014. Accessed November 5, 2016. "Love and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) are the first African American women in Congress from their states."
4. Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey: 2004 Edition, p. 266. Lawyers Diary and Manual, LLC, 2004. ISBN 9781577411871. Accessed October 6, 2019. "The assemblywoman was born in Camden and attended public schools. She was graduated from Ewing High School, attended Rutgers University and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Thomas Edison State College."
5. Schaller, Thomas F.; King-Meadows, Tyson (2006). Devolution and Black state legislators : challenges and choices in the twenty-first century. Albany: State University of New York Press. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-7914-6729-9.
6. "New Jersey-12: Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)". Retrieved 2 June 2018.
7. Assembly Member Bonnie Watson Coleman, Project Vote Smart; accessed August 10, 2007.
8. "Mercer County Democrats rally support for Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman's campaign for Congress". Retrieved 2 June 2018.
9. Davis, Mike. "Watson Coleman wins Democratic primary for 12th congressional district". NJ.com. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
10. "With Bonnie Watson Coleman's 12th District win, local Democrats will pick Assembly successor". Retrieved 2 June 2018.
11. "New Jersey Election Results". New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
12. D'Amico, Diane. "Civil rights struggle still alive in US, Watson Coleman tells Stockton symposium", The Press of Atlantic City, October 6, 2015. Accessed June 4, 2017. "The first black woman to represent New Jersey in Congress, Watson Coleman said Congress has not addressed the country’s economic divide and does not even seem willing to step up to the plate."
13. "WHIP LIST: 56 Democrats to skip Netanyahu speech to Congress". The Hill. March 3, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
14. Helm, Angela (March 26, 2016). "3 Black Congresswomen Create 1st Caucus on Black Women and Girls". The Root.
15. "Reps. Watson Coleman, Kelly, Clarke, Announce Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls". U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman. watsoncoleman.house.gov. Archived from the original on January 12, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
16. Grimaldi, Christine (April 29, 2016). "#SheWoke Fuels First Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls Event". rewire.news. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
17. "Congress.gov". Retrieved June 3, 2017.
18. Schneider, Bradley Scott (2019-07-23). "H.Res.246 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
19. Foran, Clare. "Who voted 'no' on the House resolution opposing Israel boycott movement", CNN, July 23, 2019. Accessed July 24, 2019.
20. "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
21. "Membership". Congressional Black Caucus. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
22. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
23. "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
24. Guest, Star-Ledger (Sep 9, 2018). "N.J. Congresswoman: 10 things we need to do to fix U.S. prison problem | Opinion". nj.com. Retrieved Apr 2, 2019.
25. Mcevoy, James (2014-11-13). "Mercer County hires Bonnie Watson Coleman's son to entry-level parks position". nj. Retrieved 2019-10-17.
26. "Senate and House Leaders to Secretary of State Pompeo: Cut Military Aid to Azerbaijan; Sanction Turkey for Ongoing Attacks Against Armenia and Artsakh". The Armenian Weekly. October 2, 2020.
27. Ginsberg, Wendy (2002-05-05). "IN PERSON; The Family Business (Published 2002)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
28. "Mercer County hires Bonnie Watson Coleman's son to entry-level parks position". NJ.com. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
29. Sulaiman, Abdur-Rahman. "N.J. gun rights leader questions Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman about her sons' gun crimes". The Trentonian. MediaNews Group, Inc. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
30. Wilson, Tony; Frost, Soctt. "Watson Coleman's sons plead guilty in robbery". The Trentonian. MediaNews Group, Inc. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
31. NJ.com, Brent Johnson | NJ Advance Media for (2018-11-02). "N.J. congresswoman recovering after cancerous tumor was removed". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
32. Jones, Zoe (January 11, 2021). "Congresswoman tests positive for COVID-19 after attack on Capitol". cbsnews.com. CBS News. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
33. Itkowitz, ColbyScott (2021-01-11). "75-year-old congresswoman tests positive for coronavirus after sheltering in place with unmasked lawmakers". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2021-01-11.

External links

• Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman official U.S. House website
• Bonnie Watson Coleman for Congress
• Bonnie Watson Coleman at Curlie

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• "Congresswoman: What N.J. is doing on guns. And 5 more things we can do - Opinion". NJ.com. 2 June 2018.